| SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA-(17-2-2005) Australia’s new Mistral national sailboard champion, 23-year-old Jonathan Bonnitcha, has moved his sailing and his law degree studies to Europe as he works towards representing his country at the Beijing Olympics 2008.
He plans an intensive campaign of sailboard competition throughout the Northern Hemisphere in a total self-help program that has seen him transfer in three years from a successful junior dinghy sailing career to number one Australian Mistral sailor.
Bonnitcha underscored his potential for an Olympic berth when he won the recent Mistral National Championship, defeating past national champion Michael Lancey (2nd) and Olympian Lars Kleppich (3rd).
Bonnitcha began his sailing career, and still sails for, the Hunters Hill Sailing Club in Sydney, sailing internationally in Lasers and 29ers before switching to the Mistral sailboard.
He represented Australia at the Athens Pre-Olympics, where his mother, Jenni, sailed in an Yngling keelboat crew.
Since winning his first Mistral National title Jonathan has headed overseas, moving his law studies to the Netherlands temporarily, so as to be in Europe for the summer racing season.
Asked how he felt about ISAF’s decision to change the Olympic board for 2008 he commented: “I am looking forward to production of the new board in May and being able to sail one.
“There is always much speculation about weight and size requirements with any changes. However, with the ISAF choice of a comparatively small sail, once the technical and boat handling issues are addressed, I feel quiet excited about the new challenge. The biggest issue is the projected cost of the new equipment.”
Long time Mistral supporter and race officer Bill Joselin again did a magnificent job completing the seven race Australian Championship series in the two days at St George Sailing Club.
His continued focus on building the Mistral and other sailboard classes over the past years is reaping benefits with retention of strength at the top. New Australian youth sailors coming through include Alisha Kawalla and Corey Plant, who finished fourth overall).
Racing was intense in the variable light to moderate northeasterly winds, with a very strong tide and weed provided added challenges to the fleet.
In the last two races Bonnitcha led by up to a minute around the bottom mark to twice find weed so firmly wrapped around his fin that he had to surrender valuable places to free it. However, he regained the placings, taking advantage of tide and strong pumping down wind.
Vigorous pumping took its toll on the fitness of the competitors with a few choosing to hose their boards down before the final race. –
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